Governor Jared Polis

“Aptitude test for your rights?” Mesa County pushes back on SB3 in letter to the DOJ

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Would you need a perfect GPA to speak your mind or worship freely? Mesa County officials say Colorado’s new gun law is treating the Second Amendment that way – and they’ve asked the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene.

In a three-page letter sent this month, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners urged federal authorities to investigate Senate Bill 25-003, calling it a “grotesque misuse of government power” that effectively imposes a discriminatory test on anyone wishing to lawfully own or carry a firearm.

The law, which takes effect in August 2026, requires residents to complete state-approved firearms training, score 90% on a written exam and obtain conditional approval from their sheriff’s office every five years in order to receive or renew a permit.

“Aptitude test for your rights?” Mesa County pushes back on SB3 in letter to the DOJ Read More »

10-year gun ban for car thieves: Polis signs HB 1174 into law

Colorado Politics, Approved, State / / , , , , , , ,

Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed a bill prohibiting anyone convicted of car theft in the first degree from owning a gun during a visit to the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.

In Colorado, motor vehicle theft in the first degree is a Class 3 felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to 12 years and fines ranging from $3,000 to $750,000.

Under House Bill 1171, individuals who have maintained a clean record can petition for a court order, allowing them to own a gun 10 years after their case has been resolved.

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Cities sue Polis over housing mandate, cite threat to local control

The Colorado Sun, Approved, Local, State / / , , , , , , , ,

Six “home rule” cities in Colorado are suing the state, alleging it has unconstitutionally usurped their local authority over land use and zoning as it pushes communities to allow denser housing development. 

The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of an executive order Gov. Jared Polis signed last week to withhold some state grants from local communities if they fail to implement a slate of recent housing laws. The cities say the order encroaches on the powers of both the General Assembly and the judiciary to say what the law is and is “beyond the governor’s authority.”

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Governor’s executive order threatening loss of funding draws fire for overriding local housing control

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Gov. Jared Polis is putting local governments on notice: Either they comply with state housing laws, or they risk losing at least $100 million a year in state funding.

The governor signed an executive order that takes the battle over local control to a new level. Over the last two years, he’s signed bills regarding residential occupancy limits and accessory dwelling units, transit-oriented communities and manufactured homes, and even limits on staircases and parking spots.

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The COvid Chronicles May 8–15, 2020: C&C made headlines. Polis made an example. Colorado made up its mind.

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, State, Top Stories / / , , , , , , ,

The governor’s enforcers tried to make an example of C&C. Instead, they created a rallying cry.

In just seven days, Colorado witnessed threats, shutdowns, viral videos and a surge of defiance that no press conference could contain. Counties revolted, small towns reopened and sheriffs made it clear: the edicts had lost their teeth.

These are the COvid Chronicles for May 8-15, 2020…

The COvid Chronicles May 8–15, 2020: C&C made headlines. Polis made an example. Colorado made up its mind. Read More »

Silent signature, rising resistance: HB1312 becomes law, but parents vow to fight on

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Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 25-1312 into law on Friday, May 16, without a press conference, social media announcement or public ceremony.

While the bill, known as the “Kelly Loving Act,” was hailed by progressive lawmakers as a milestone for transgender rights, many Coloradans who opposed the bill say the governor’s quiet signature is a telling indication of just how controversial the legislation had become.

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Colorado falls in business rankings as Denver Chamber of Commerce faults heavy regulation

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As Colorado continues to trend downward on the national economic scale, the Denver Chamber of Commerce is critical of the direction the state’s Democratic-led legislature took in 2025 and in recent years.

The main message at Tuesday’s annual post-legislative State of the State event, hosted by the chamber, was that the anti-business, pro-regulation approach is failing the business community.

Chamber members discussed Colorado’s economic challenges and legislative impacts. In giving a rundown of bills affecting the business community after the 2025 session, chamber members Rachel Beck and Carly West pointed to CNBC’s annual top states for business rankings. Once a perennial top 10, Colorado was ranked 11th last year and dropped to 16th this year.

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The COvid Chronicles May 1–7, 2020: Seven days that set the stage for open rebellion

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, State, Top Stories / / , , , , , ,

May began just like April ended – edicts from above, fear from the press and politicians telling Coloradans to stay home, shut up and stay six feet apart. But by the first week of the month, cracks were showing. 

From Castle Rock to Colorado Springs, citizens, sheriffs and small-business owners weren’t waiting for permission. They had bills to pay, kids to raise and a Constitution they weren’t willing to quarantine.

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Polis open to signing bill restricting local ICE cooperation as Colorado sanctuary debate heats up

Colorado Politics, Approved, State / / , , , , , , , ,

Gov. Jared Polis said that while he had “major problems” with an earlier proposal that sought to inoculate immigrants from federal policies, the bill now includes “workable language,” thereby signaling his intent to sign it.

The governor reiterated he is still reviewing the proposal, which underwent several changes before its final passage during the 2025 legislative session.

At its core, Senate Bill 276 reemphasized existing state law that precludes local law enforcers from detaining an individual based on an “immigration detainer.” An immigration “detainer” is a notice issued to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies informing the latter that agents intend to assume custody of an individual no longer subject to the former’s detention.

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Polis signs sweeping election bill modeled on federal law—GOP calls it unnecessary

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Gov. Jared Polis signed a trio of election-related bills into law on Monday, including a measure sponsors say will “safeguard voting rights in Colorado amid federal uncertainty.”

Senate Bill 001, sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Reps. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, implements a state-level version of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned certain discriminatory voting practices.

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